Julius Malema is a South African politician, leader and founding member of the Economic Freedom Fighters. Malema first garnered widespread popularity when he became the President of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).
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| Born | Julius Sello Malema |
| March 3, 1981 | |
| Seshego, Limpopo | |
| South Africa | |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Member of Parliament | |
| Nationality | South African |
| Political Party | ANC (1990 – 2012) |
| EFF (2013 – to date) | |
| Wife | Mantwa Matlala |
| 2014 – to date | |
| Children | Ratanang Malema |
| |
| ANCYL President | |
| April 2008 – April 2012 | |
| Vice President | Andile Lungisa |
| Ronald Lamola | |
| Preceded By | Fikile Mbalula |
| Succeeded By | Placed Under Admin |
| |
| Commander In Chief | |
| 2013 – to date | |
| Preceded By | Office Established |
| |
| May 21, 2014 – to date | |
| Party | EFF |
Julius Malema was born in Seshego, in the then Transvaal Province now Limpopo (as well as Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and eastern part of North West).
He was raised there, in Seshego, by a single mother who worked as a domestic worker.
Very little is know about Malema’s siblings, although there has been obscured mentions of his family in the media particularly the name, Tshepo Malema, at one point as his brother and later as his cousin.
He went to Mohlakaneng High School in Seshego, Limpopo, there he faced a daunting task to complete his studies.
It has been claimed that there he failed two High School grades before finally scraping through his matric exams.
A document available on the web presumed to be Julius Malema’s matric results has long been dismissed as fake by Malema and the ANC Youth League of Julius Malema.
Debora Patta hosted e.tv’s 3rd Degree (no longer on air) once showed a video of young Julius Malema protesting during an infamous 2002 COSAS march by school pupils through the streets of Johannesburg.
In 2008 Julius Malema was elected to the African National Congress Youth League presidency.
In 2009 he supported Jacob Zuma‘s campaign and bid to become President of the Republic of South Africa.
In 2010 Julius Malema’s relationship with Jacob Zuma and the ANC began to deteriorate, this was reportedly because of his (Julius Malema) continued unruly behavior.
He was subjected to numerous disciplinary hearing, to which he was represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu.
In November 2011 Julius Malema was suspended from the ANC for five years, however, he was given leave to appeal which he did.
In February 2012 the original decision to suspend Julius Malema was upheld by ANC’s NDC appeals committee.
That decision was later converted to an expulsion from the African National Congress.
In 2013 Julius Malema founded his own political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters.
The party contested the 2014 General Election of South Africa and came in third behind the ANC and the DA respectively.
This meant Julius Malema became the youngest South African in history to lead a political party to the National Assembly.
In 2010, while president of the ANC Youth League, he completed his studies in youth development though the University of South Africa (UNISA).
In 2011, he registered there (UNISA) again, now for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and African Languages.
At the height of his troubles with his beloved ANC, Malema was writing his exams, though unclear in what.
This reporting on his educational efforts was and remains one the rarest.
Malema is a father of at least one child, a boy named Ratanang Malema.
This was confirmed when Malema turned on his assertions that Members of Parliament should show faith in public institutions by sending their children to public schools and making use of public or government hospitals but later stated that he would not be sending his child there or taking him out of a private school until it is law that he must.
The Beginning
Julius Malema began his political career in the African National Congress (ANC) at age 9, this would have been at least in the year 1990. According to Malema, he was, at the time, part of the lesser or unknown at all wing of the ANC called Masupatsela (“The Trailblazers”).
Their (His) job was to go around finding and removing posters of the ruling party (at the time, the National Party) placed outside the police stations.
In 1995, aged 14, Malema was elected chairman of the African National Congress Youth League branch in Seshego, his hometown and regional chairman just one year later.
In 1997, aged 16, he became the chairman of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in his home province of Limpopo.
In 2001, aged 20, Malema was elected national president of the Congress of South African Students. A year later in the year 2002, he led a now infamous COSAS march by school pupils through the streets of Johannesburg which was characterized by aberrant behavior as well as incidents of violence and looting.
A footage of that march was flighted by e.tv’s 3rd Degree in 2012 during Malema troubles.
ANC Youth League Presidency
The ANC Youth League, already notorious after Fikile Mbalula’s term which itself was marred by tantrums, shocking assertions and alleged racism.
Julius Malema would succeed Fikile Mbalula and later make his tantrums appear as nothing but misguided behavior.
Julius Malema’s election to power was a clear sign of the troubles that were clear and present in the ANC Youth League’s future.
In April 2008, the ANC Youth League held its conference in which the election took place, it was beset with alleged fraud and intimidation, Malema himself later described as “unbecoming conduct”.
The fairness and integrity of the election remains a sour point for many, it has been criticized and called to question.
His victory in the questionable election marked his only full term as the President of the ANC Youth League as he would later be expelled from the party at the beginning of his second term.
Malema second term consisted of tantrums so great, Fikile Mbalula’s shocking behavior in the same office ceased to exist.
He came into office months after Jacob Zuma was elected into the ANC presidency ahead of the then incumbent Thabo Mbeki, perhaps the worst times in the ANC since the fall of the apartheid regime.
It was not a question of whether or not the ANC was divided, it was the question of who was on which side, Mosiuoa Lekota’s Congress of the People was the conspicuous resulting aftermath.
Malema had publicly backed Jacob Zuma, this was at the height of Zuma’s problems; he had been fired from the country’s vice-presidency, faced rape and corruption charges. His demise was a foregone conclusion, it was unthinkable that he would escape all the charges he faced and the Arms Deal subject kept finding its way to the surface.
Malema’s backing of Zuma paid off, Zuma began to extricate himself from the mass that had overwhelmed him for the better part of Mbeki’s Presidency while corruption charges endured.
As soon as Jacob Zuma became president of the ANC at the Polokwane Conference the tables began to turn, Thabo Mbeki‘s allies began to find themselves without a place in the ANC and the ground shrinking underneath their feet, this includes Thabo Mbeki himself who resigned from office in the middle of his second term.
Malema and Zuma began their unforgettable journey as heads of the ANC Youth League and the ANC respectively.
In April 2009, he campaigned vigorously for the ANC ahead of the 2009 elections, this included a controversial incident at the Dora Nginza Hospital in Port Elizabeth where he and other youth league members were campaigning in the wards.
He also drew criticism from then South African and ANC Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe when he took his campaigning efforts to schools in order to reach new youth. Motlanthe described the stunt as disruptive to Education.
At the beginning of 2010, Malema urged the Youth League members to join the South African National Defence Force and said that there were plans for the Youth League leadership to join the reservist programme. By May 2010 the military training was confirmed with the naval training to begin in September that year.
In March 2010, the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) spoke out against the “new culture of public feuds, insults and personal attacks” and adopted a policy of disciplining those who became involved in public disputes with members of the governing Tripartite (ANC-SACP-COSATU) Alliance.
This was widely viewed as a move against Malema who’s public outbursts and meltdowns had become increasingly uncontrollable and directed at fellow ANC and Tripartite Alliance.
Malema set his sights on the second term of the ANC Youth League Presidency, his bid heavily boosted by when a number of Eastern Cape elected candidates remained loyal to him. Limpopo, Julius Malema’s home province, saw the fiercest contestation for the Youth League Presidency.
A now infamous meeting marred with vigorous discussion and incidents of violence. Malema’s rivals and journalists were reported to have been thrown out by police,as per Julius Malema’s instructions.
On June 17 , 2011, Malema was re-elected unopposed for a second term as ANCYL president at Gallagher Estate, Midrand when Lebogang Maile, the only opposing nominee, declined the nomination.
Malema’s second term came to an abrupt end just 10 months after it began when he was suspended office from and later expelled from the party.
Unrelenting Controversies and Overestimation of his Power
Since taking up the job as president of the ANC Youth League, Malema attracted controversies at every turn and quickly became a subject of ridicule, criticism and Mockery.
- Jacob Zuma
Julius Malema had developed an unhealthy obsession with Jacob Zuma‘s political well being, in doing so he found himself drawn more and more into heated public assertions that required him to demonstrate his loyalty and the lengths to which he would go to defend and protect Zuma and his presidency, at one point claiming that he was prepared to die for him.
- Nedbank and Athletics South Africa
In September 2009 following the Caster Semenya debacle at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics held in Berlin, Germany, Nedbank withdrew it’s sponsorship of Athletics South Africa (ASA).
Malema suggested that the two were related as the sponsorship withdrawal took place at the heart of Leonard Chuene controversy who admitted that he was informed about the gender test which concluded that athletic Caster Semanya is a hermaphrodite and neglected to withdraw her from the World Championships where she went on to win a gold medal.
He threatened to mobilize society to withdraw their Nedbank accounts.
He also went on to say there is no concept of a hermaphrodite in Pedi culture something he called “imposed on us by the imperialists”.
- Hate Speech and Sexism
In 2009, Julius Malema told a group of Cape Town students at a South African Students’ Congress (SASCO) meeting that the woman who accused ANC president Jacob Zuma of rape had a “nice time” with him because in the morning she had “requested breakfast and taxi money”.
He was convicted of hate speech on March 15, 2010 by the Equality Court, fined of R50 000 and ordered to apologize unconditionally.
SASCO expressed “delight” at the ruling and criticized Malema for the “gratuitous abuse” of the platform that SASCO granted him.
In March 2010, Malema sang he lyrics “shoot the Boer” (Dubul’ibhunu) at a rally held at a University Campus, the lyrics are from the anti-apartheid song “Ayasab’ amagwala” (the cowards are scared).
His singing was compared to similar chants by the late Youth League leader Peter Mokaba in the early 1990s, to “kill the boer”, which had previously been defined as hate speech by the South African Human Rights Commission.
Malema’s singing of the song led to a massive public outcry and complaints against him, in the police and the South African Human Rights Commission.
The South Gauteng High Court ruled on March 26, 2010 that Malema’s singing of the song was “unconstitutional and unlawful”, and that any person singing it could face charges of incitement to murder.
The ANC defended the song and announced that it would appeal.
On April 1, 2010, the North Gauteng High Court then granted an interdict preventing Malema from publicly uttering the words of this or any other song which could be considered to be instigating violence, distrust and/or hatred between black and white citizens in the Republic of South Africa” until the matter was heard by the Equality Court, to which the case was referred by the presiding judge.
Following the murder of Eugène Terre’Blanche April 2010, senior leaders of the ANC temporarily banned the singing of the song, amid concerns that struggle songs were being used to “scapegoat” the ANC and to further racial hatred, and also, over concerns that those who continued singing the song were contempt of the court orders banning the singing of the song.
On April 10, President Jacob Zuma spoke out against Malema’s singing of the song at the news conference saying Julius Malema was “totally out of order” for ignoring ANC instructions to obey the court order banning the singing of the song.
President Zuma emphasized the constitutional role of the judiciary and the rule of law, and added that the role of the judiciary “as the final arbiter in disputes” had to be respected, and that defiance of the proper procedures in place to challenge judicial rulings, made a “mockery of the judicial system” and “should not be tolerated”.
- Journalists
Following the report on Malema’s involvement in government tenders, the ANC Youth League released the personal details of City Press Investigations Editor Dumisane Lubisi, his wife and his children, including their identity numbers, bank details, residential address and vehicle details.
Malema then issued a statement that the ANCYL would continue to expose journalists.
- Zimbabwe
In April 2010, Malema made a visit to Zimbabwe, described as a visit to Indigenization. While there, he was expected to meet with the president of that country, Robert Mugabe.
When he landed in Harare, he was greeted by Zimbabwe’s Youth and Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, ZANU-PF Youth Chairman Absolom Sikhosana, prominent business figures of that country as well as scores of ZANU-PF supporters.
During his visit, Malema described Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as an ally of “imperialists” and blamed the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for introducing political violence to Zimbabwe, and defended Robert Mugabe’s political and human rights record.
Morgan Tsvangirai as well as Youth organizations in Zimbabwe criticized and condemned Malema’s visit, citing his controversial racial statements and alleged corruption.
Upon return from his visit in Zimbabwe, the ANCYL released a statement praising President Robert Mugabe and Zimbabwe’s land seizures. It called on the youth South Africa to follow the example of young people in Zimbabwe, to engage in agriculture in order to reduce their dependence on white farmers.
At the time of Malema’s visit to Zimbabwe, President Jacob Zuma was trying to broker a political settlement in Zimbabwe, as a result, the visit reportedly caused concern among ANC officials even though President Zuma himself had blessed it. However, in a later statement, the ANC distanced itself from the Youth League’s electoral support of President Mugabe’s ZANU-PF.
- The BBC Journalist
After his return to South Africa from Zimbabwe, on April 8, 2010, the ANCYL held a media briefing covering that visit. Malema was criticizing the Movement for Democratic Change for having offices in affluent Sandton, a BBC journalist, Jonah Fisher, commented that Malema himself lived in Sandton and further described Malema’s comments as rubbish.
Malema was angered by Fisher’s comments, he freaked out and lost his temper; he launched a scathing attack on Fisher.
He accused him of being disrespectful, and of coming from a country (the United Kingdom) which undermined the credibility and integrity of African leaders.
After the incident Malema said he expected an apology from Fisher. In a turn of events, the day after the incident, the ANC issued a statement condemning Malema’s actions.
Two days later, on April 10, President Jacob Zuma publicly criticized Malema’s behavior at a news conference in Durban, he characterized Malema’s conduct as “alien to the ANC”, saying that “the manner in which a BBC journalist was treated at an ANC Youth League press conference is regrettable and unacceptable, regardless of any alleged provocation on his part” further adding that he had spoken to Malema over the phone about his conduct.
Despite Zuma’s outright rebuke, in public no less, Malema remained defiant.
This marked one of Malema and Zuma’s earliest disagreements to play out in public.
- First Disciplinary Action by the ANC Against Malema
On April 18, ten days after Malema’s trip to Zimbabwe, reports emerged that he faced disciplinary action brought on by the ANC over his endorsement of President Mugabe’s ZANU-PF while President Zuma was in the middle of brokering a negotiated settlement in that country.
The action also included his verbal attack of a BBC journalist, Jonah Fisher, comments on the murder of Eugène Terre’Blanche, and unfavorably comparing Jacob Zuma to his predecessor Thabo Mbeki, after Zuma called a press conference reprimanding Malema.
The Disciplinary Committee sat on May 3 and on May 11 Malema entered into a plea bargain and three charges against were dropped including those of the attacking a BBC journalist, and endorsing of President Mugabe.
He pleaded guilty to criticizing Zuma after he publicly rebuked him.
He was ordered by the disciplinary committee to make a public apology, fined R10 000 to be donated to a youth development project, and attend anger management classes.
The disciplinary committee also warned Malema that if he committed the same offense within two years he may face suspension from office and ANC.
Malema apologized “unconditionally”, further stating that he accepted that his conduct and public utterances should reflect respect and restraint at all times.
- A Call for Land Redistribution and Nationalization of Mines
President Jacob Zuma and Minister of Mining Susan Shabangu made it clear that this was not ANC policy but Julius Malema continued to publicly and vocally advocate for to advocate for the Nationalization of South African Mines.
While the Nationalization of South African Mines is not the ANC Policy, the National Union of Mineworkers support the idea of Nationalization.
Malema also advocated to the He then advocated the return of land without compensation and the removal of the “willing buyer, willing seller” principle. He called for the Zimbabwe-style seizure of farms in South Africa.
At a public meeting at the University of Western Cape, he asked: “Why should we pay for our land?”
Julius Malema repeatedly accused white South Africans of “stealing land”, insisting on land redistribution without compensation.
In April 2010, he traveled to Venezuela as a leader of the youth delegation that went to that country.
Days of Glory
Julius Malema’s meteoric rise to power exposed him to unrelenting criticism and lampooning but it also exposed him to opportunities to make millions, live a lavish life and earn praise from his admirers.
In 2008, when Malema became president of the youth league, he moved to Johannesburg and in April 2009 signed a lease on a house in upmarket Sandown for R18000 a month.He reportedly used his power and influence to earn millions through government tenders and accept gifts from those he helped get government tenders.
He paid a year’s rent upfront and bought the house four months later for R3.6-million.
Only R1.5-million of this amount was bonded and Malema has acknowledged that “donors” helped to pay the balance.
A gradual transformation in appearance, dress code, and lifestyle was all too conspicuous.
He quickly became known for his Breitling wrist watch which always crept up on photographs. The wrist watch in question reported to cost around R250 000.
The subject of the watch led to questions of his salary in the ANC and how he could afford it.
Along the way, it emerged that Julius Malema owned a house in an affluent suburb of Johannesburg, Sandton.
He also owned another house, a mansion in his home province of Limpopo.
Malema also owned several cars, among them a Mercedes-Benz C-Class AMG, an Aston Martin and a Range Rover Sport, and a Range Rover 4×4.
At the time Malema was reportedly earning R20 000 form the ANC. Malema’s Limpopo property portfolio was reported to be at an estimated R9 million, including two farms he had bought between 2009 and 2011.
His friends at the time included business mogul of the ZAR Empire, Kenny Kunene, who appeared on his reality television show, which aired on e.tv, wearing a t-shirt which Julius Malema’s face on it. In that television show, Kunene is confronted by a business associate over his shirt with political connotations, Kunene dismisses his associate claiming that Julius is is “friend”. Kunene himself, reportedly lives in Sandton.
Malema has also been linked to a string of Limpopo businessman and companies who funded his lifestyle, gave him gifts in property.
ANC heavyweight Tokyo Sexwale reportedly sponsored Malema’s lifestyle through his company Mvelephanda Holdings.
Lizelle Tabane
Millionaire David Mabilu, who flew Malema and his friends to Mauritius in October for his wedding bash, has also been named as a benefactor.
The Mauritius Wedding took place just hours after a “Long Walk to Economic Freedom”, in which Malema did not only take part, it was his brainchild and he made a speech at the beginning and would make a speech or two later.
The “Long Walk to Economic Freedom” which began in Johannesburg and finished in Pretoria had taken place on Friday October 28, 2011 and by Sunday October 30, 2011, Malema’s pictures and those of the wedding of Malema’s friend were all over the South African media which itself was flown there the witness the spectacle.Julius Malema and Lizelle Tabane
He had brought with him a “special guest”, Lizelle Tabane, who’s picture was on the front page of the Sunday Times.
Malema also made that Sunday Times wearing a purple suit and a matching hat.
His Mauritian escapades caused a huge public outcry, the hypocrisy of the “Long Walk to Economic Freedom” which he barely walked as he was shuttled around along the route of the walk before being whisked off to Mauritius to attend a friend’s lavish wedding.
To make matters worse, the wedding in question was featured on SABC 3’s long running lifestyle Show Top Billing. A show already a subject of criticism over it’s relevance in South Africa, a country beset by poverty and devastating lack of basic necessities for millions of its citizens.
It was not just the wedding that was featured, Malema was interviewed in that insert where he talked about his experience there and the clothes he was wearing.
At the height of his presidency of the Youth League, Malema had become more than just a politician, he was among the most influential South Africans if not Africans, when he called people heeded his call.
Not a day went by without the mention of his name on mainstream media.
His support was not on the ground only, at the very top of the ANC Leadership as well. At one point, President Jacob Zuma referred to him as a President in waiting.
He enjoyed the support of the ANC heavyweights such as the ex-wife of former President Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, then Minister of Human Settlements Tokyo Sexwale and a majority of his top leadership in the Youth League.
Disciplinary Review, Suspension and Expulsion
On August 30, 2011, Julius Malema was subjected to a disciplinary hearing by the ANC at Luthuli House, ANC’s headquarters in downtown Johannesburg.
This came at a time where Malema appeared absolutely certain of his place in ANC Youth League and the ANC and it seemed as if he had resolute support, among those named at the time was Malema’s predecessor in the Youth League Presidency and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Malema’s supporters had marched to Luthuli House, where the hearing was being held, the march quickly escalated into a bitter violent confrontation, the likes of which unseen since the fall of the apartheid regime.
Some of the marchers and Malema’s supporters held placards with slogans like “South Africa for blacks only” which was met with unmistakable disapproval by the ANC and black South African communities.
Malema moved to have charges against him dropped, he ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) deliberated for two days and on September 2 Malema’s application was dismissed and the charges he faced were upheld.
On November 10, 2011, Julius Malema was found guilty of contravening Rules 25.5(c) and (i) of the ANC Constitution for expressing views at a press conference of the ANC Youth League on 31 July 2011 “which sought to portray the ANC government and its leadership under President Zuma in a negative light in relation to the African agenda and which had the potential to sow division and disunity in the ANC, and for expressing his personal views on Botswana which contravened ANC policy.”
This was after Malema said the ANC Youth League would establish a ‘Botswana command team’ which would work towards uniting all opposition forces in Botswana to oppose what he had called the puppet regime led by the Botswana Democratic Party.
His utterances and the resulting conviction earned him a 5 year suspension from the ANC, however he was granted leave to appeal which he did but the original conviction handed down by the ANC’s NDC was upheld by the appeals committee on February 4, 2012.
As a result, Julius Malema was stripped of the ANC Youth League presidency and ANC membership.
The NDC was instructed by the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA) to hear evidence in mitigation and aggravation of sanction in the cases involving Sindiso Magaqa, Floyd Shivambu and Julius Malema.
On February 29, 2012, the NDC, chaired by Derek Hanekom, announced the results of its review from Luthuli House, the ANC headquarters.
In the NDC’s statement, the relationship between the ANC and the three respondents as “contractual in nature”, bound by a “membership oath”.
It went on to state that the respondents “were fully aware of the provisions of the ANC Constitution; they considered themselves bound by the ANC Constitution and they undertook to respect the ANC Constitution and its structures.”
In the report, Julius Malema was characterized as a repeat offender who was unrepentant and did not accept the findings of the disciplinary machinery of the ANC. Their conclusion in respect of Malema was: “The NDC is of the view that if comrade Malema is not prepared to accept final decisions of the NDCA, then the likelihood of him respecting the ANC Constitution is remote.” —point 74 of the report.
The National Disciplinary Committee of the ANC expelled Julius Malema from the party. He was ordered to vacate his ANC Youth League Presidency, he was also given leave to appeal to the NDCA against sanction within 14 days.
On April 24th, 2012, the appeal process concluded when the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal confirmed his expulsion from the ANC with immediate effect.
Legal and Financial Problems
Following the ruling by the National Disciplinary Committee and the subsequent ruling by National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal, it appeared as though Julius Malema’s cloak of invisibility had been lifted.
About six months prior to his expulsion from the ANC while Malema was in Mauritius to attend David Mabilu’s wedding, back at home in South Africa, the media reported that he was being investigated by the Hawks over corruption, fraud and money laundering.
At the heart of the allegations and the resulting investigations was Ratanang Trust, a trust believed to be set up by Malema and named after his son who is also a beneficiary along with Malema’s grandmother.
It was alleged that the trust was being used to channel payments by politically connected businessmen for state tenders, mostly from Malema’s home province of Limpopo.
Malema denied all wrongdoing at the time and continues to do so, claiming that it is all a ploy to silence him.
In September 2012, a warrant of arrest was issued on the charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering relating to state tenders. The warrant was reportedly issued following an investigation into a tender awarded in 2010 to EduSolutions, to distribute textbooks to students in Limpopo.
An investigation into the incident was launched by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), SA Revenue Service (Sars) and the Hawks, this was after the discovery of dumped textbooks near a dam in Giyani.
On September 26, Malema was charged with money laundering, relating to his involvement in the tender awarding process, in which he allegedly received R4 million in commission.
Malema was released on R10 000 bail after a hearing in Polokwane court. He dismissed the charges as politically motivated and went on to say money laundering was minor charge.
He also faces charges of tax evasion, he owes SARS an amount estimated to be R16 million.
As a result, some of Malema’s property were seized by the state (Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority) and later auctioned to cover what he owed. Among seized property were Malema’s Sandton Home, Polokwane Home and a farm estimated to be worth R4 million.
A judge struck the corruption case against EFF leader Julius Malema off the roll on Tuesday, saying that he had waited too long for the trial. The fraud and corruption case against EFF leader Julius Malema and his two co-accused was struck off the roll in the High Court in Polokwane on Tuesday. "What this means, you are free to go," said Judge George Mothle. " Because you have not pleaded, the State may decide to reinstitute the matter. For now, you are free to go," he said. (August 4 2015 )
Return to Zimbabwe
In October 2012, Julius Malema traveled to Zimbabwe on a personal capacity to attend a wedding there and address the ZANU-PF Youth.
The Mail and Guardian quoted the Zimbabwean Herald Online in a story, saying Malema had told the meeting: “He said the youths in South Africa were calling for whites to surrender land and minerals resources they hold because when they came from Europe they did not carry any land into South Africa.”
He claimed that the whites committed murder to get the land and the minerals they owned. He also told the youth there that he was in Zimbabwe to gain inspiration and wisdom, so that when he returned home he could “double the spirit of fighting against imperialist forces”
And went on to called on all black Africans to have as many children as possible so as to increase dominance of ‘our ideas’ in the world at large and help catalyze world revolution.
Return to Politics
After much speculation in the media, earlier dismissed by Malema himself, In June 2013 Julius Malema returned to South African politics with the formation of his political party called the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Speaking at the South African Editor’s Forum, President Jacob Zuma stated that the African National Congress does not see this development as a threat.
At the formation of the Economic Freedom Fighters were familiar names, among them;
- Floyd Shivambu
Malema’s long time ally, he is perhaps best known as the spokesman of the ANC Youth League and member of its National Executive and Working Committees under Julius Malema’s presidency from 2008 to 2012 at their expulsion.
He attended Wits University where he served at president of the Student Representative Council (SRC) from 2004 to 2005.
Shivambu made his return to politics alongside his leader in the Youth League.
In the EFF he serves as the Commissar responsible for Policy, Research and Political Education in Economic Freedom Fighters, a political party which is an Economic Emancipation Movement in South Africa.
- Kenny Kunene
Julius Malema’s “friend” and notorious South African businessman of the ZAR Empire and e.tv’s So What fame, Kenny Kunene.
Kenny Kunene, celebrity and businessman languishing in obscurity in a society driven by money, fame, power and publicity stunts. He propelled himself to the stratosphere by taking his gimmicks to levels never seen before in South Africa.
Such publicity stunts got the attention of e.tv, who game him half an hour’s airtime to advertise his business and perform some of these gimmicks in front of cameras for broadcast. So What lasted for two seasons.
Kunene, however, failed to last inside Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters, shortly after the formation of the party. Kunene and Malema’s failure to see eye to eye was reported. Although Kunene never had any known political ambitions prior to the EFF, he left the party to form his own, the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
- Fana Mokoena
Fana Mokoena, at the back wearing a brown vest.
Former Generations star who had recently starred as Thierry Umutoni, the UN Deputy Secretary General in World War Z alongside Brad Pitt and as Govan Mbeki in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom alongside Idris Elba and Naomie Harris.
Mokoena’s decision to join EFF remains unclear even though he has some some interviews since then.
What also remains unclear is the role he plays in the party.
Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters contested the 2014 General Electionsunder his leadership.
He successfully led them to parliament, he helped the party secure 6.35% of the national vote and taking 25 eats along the way. This meant that Malema became the youngest person in South Africa to lead a political party to parliament.
Post 2014 General Elections
Following the outcome of the elections and ANC’s victory in those elections, Julius Malema addressed and his followers and followers of his party.
Speaking at the IEC’s national results operations centre in Pretoria, Malema told the media that the EFF accepted defeat, and called on his supporters to accept the outcome in a dignified manner. “We don’t want to be bad losers”.
EFF Members being sworn-in in Parliament
“We are very happy, we may not have the means and the capacity to celebrate, but we do appreciate, we are humbled by the support we have received”.
Malema’s post election speech was one of his if not the most humbled and positive.
It became a certainty that Malema along with 24 other EFF members will be going to parliament.
Malema told his supporters that when they go to parliament they will not wear suits but instead his party was going to represent ordinary men and women in Parliament.
On May 21, 2014, on the day of swearing in of the Members of Parliament, Julius Malema along with his party members showed up in red jumpsuits, gumboots, hardhats, aprons, etc.
Floyd Shivambu and Julius Malema in Parliament
Malema also asserted that government officials and members of parliament should show faith in state institutions, this included enrolling their children in public rather that private schools and using government hospitals.
He then turned around and said his son would not attend “dysfunctional and poor” public schools. He added that he would also maintain his medical aid, giving him access to private healthcare.
He said his son Ratanang Malema would stay at the private school, unless a law was passed compelling elected representatives to use public facilities. “Why must I subject my child to poor education when people who are in power don’t do it?”
Just over one month after the Economic Freedom Fighters took South Africa by the storm at the 2014 General Elections; the reports of cracks and dictatorial tendencies emerged. These reports emerged following a meeting relating to internal national restructuring held in Braamfontein , Johannesburg where it is claimed that Malema had key leaders removed.
These alleged removals of leaders raised concerned among party members about the strength of the party’s internal democracy ahead of the party’s elective conference.
They have also triggered comparisons of the Economic Freedom Fighters to the Congress of the People which it’s internal power struggles saw it nearly gets wiped out in the 2014 General Elections after it impressed in the 2009.
Political Ideology
Political analysts and commentators have described Julius Malema as a proponent of an “emerging fascism in South Africa.” Such are views are shared by Malema’s fellow politician and parliamentarian, leader of Agang SA Dr. Mamphela Ramphele.
Julius Malema has also been described as a demagogue.
Personal Life
On December 27, 2014 Julius Malema married his long-time partner Mantwa Matlala in Seshego in Polokwane in the Limpopo province of South Africa.
Ahead of the wedding ceremony Julius Malema warned that those who show up without an invitation will be turned away, and that this also applies to the supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
“There will be tight security and therefore no one should complain when they’re turned away,” Julius Malema was quoted saying.
He stated that his partner is from a private family an appealed to the nation to respect his privacy.
The wedding ceremony of Julius Malema and Mantwa Matlala went ahead as planned in in Seshego, Polokwane in Limpopo.
Despite the warning that uninvited guests stay away, it was reported that neighbors and Seshego residents showed up and stood outside the gates hoping to catch a glimpse of the ceremony.
However dark clouds and the rainy weather put an end to their hopes as they dispersed without seeing anything.
The wedding was reportedly attended by high profile guests such as: EFF Chairperson,Dali Mpofu; World War Z actor, Fana Mokoena; Rhythm City actress, Jo-Anne Reyneke; former Limpopo Premier, Cassel Mothale; and Skeem Saam actor, Eric Macheru.
It has also been reported that there were rumours that Zimbabwean leader, President Robert Mugabe may have been in attendance
- Children
Julius Malema has a son named Ratanang Malema.
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